What Peter Saw: His Grace and Truth

February 11, 2023

What Peter Saw: His Grace and Truth

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn 1:14, NET)

Most people tend to think of grace and truth on a sliding scale. The more grace you have, the less truth and vice versa. Not so with the Lord Jesus Christ. He was full of grace AND truth. 100% grace, 100% truth. Peter saw this reality loud and clear.

So, what about truth?

Then Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke openly about this. So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But after turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but on man’s.” (Mk 8:31-33, NET)

Peter wasn't ready to believe Christ would be a suffering servant as the scripture had predicted (Isa 53; Ps 22). He rebuked Jesus at the thought of him having to suffer and die. So, what did Jesus do? He REALLY rebuked him back. Jesus confronts Peter with the reality that his thoughts originated with the devil. But he didn't stop there. He also pointed out that this comes from men, and not God. Now that was truth.

It appears Jesus confronts Peter more than the other disciples. Maybe that is because he is so quick to speak up. Here is another example...

Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even if they all fall away, I will not!” Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today—this very night—before a rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.” And all of them said the same thing. (Mk 14:27-31, NET)

Peter not only asserts his loyalty, but also says he is willing to die with Christ. It is not long before he sees that Jesus was right. Peter denies Christ three times.

Now while Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the high priest’s slave girls came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked directly at him and said, “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus.” But he denied it: “I don’t even understand what you’re talking about!” Then he went out to the gateway, and a rooster crowed. When the slave girl saw him, she began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” But he denied it again. A short time later the bystanders again said to Peter, “You must be one of them, because you are also a Galilean.” Then he began to curse, and he swore with an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about!” Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him: “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. (Mk 14:66-72, NET)

At this point we see Peter's deep sorrow and shame. On one hand he sincerely desires to follow Christ and be loyal. On the other hand, he fears for his life. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Mk 14:38). Even though Peter thought he had what it takes, Jesus knew the truth, and Jesus told him so.

So, what about grace?

Peter follows John to the empty tomb (Jn 20:6). Once he realizes Jesus is risen, he must be wondering what will happen when he sees Jesus, face to face. The denial of Christ is a huge failure. Peter must be asking, "How will Jesus respond?" As Peter considered the depths of his sin, I doubt he was prepared for the abundance of grace to be demonstrated by the risen Lord.

Peter decided one night to go fishing. James and John, Nathaniel, Thomas, and two others went along. About daybreak Jesus appears to them and instructs them where to lower their nets. They take a huge catch of fish as a result. After coming ashore, they realize it is Jesus. He had prepared a breakfast for them.

Then when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these do?” He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my lambs.” Jesus said a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd my sheep.” Jesus said a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” and said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep. (Jn 21:15-17, NET)

Jesus has a rather unique way of expressing grace and reinstating Peter. Since Peter has denied Jesus three times, he now must assert his loyalty three times. Jesus accepts his love and asks him to "feed my sheep". The fact that Jesus still trusts Peter enough to delegate shepherding to him must have been momentous to Peter. It is possible that he had been feeling such defeat after his denials that he was considering returning to the fishing business. That is one way we could interpret the question, "Do you love me more than these", meaning the fish. Another interpretation, as the NET Bible does, considers the "these" means the other disciples. This also makes sense because Peter had previously been so forthright to assert his loyalty. He may have been exalting himself over the others. In either case, Jesus wants him back. He is accepting his love and bringing him back into the fold, so to speak. This is grace. Peter did not deserve such treatment, and neither do we. He was loved and forgiven, and so are we.

Of all the experiences Peter had with Jesus over the past three years, this may be the most personal, and the most meaningful. Peter had failed the Lord in a very serious test. Now Jesus responds with pure grace. Peter had seen Jesus extend grace to others, like with the woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:3-10). But this is firsthand grace. The kind that changes a person's life. Peter went on to play a significant role as leader in the fledgling church. He was the central figure in the first fifteen chapters of the book of Acts and led the early church in Rome. Throughout his life he demonstrated his loyal love for the Savior in many ways, including death. The early church fathers unanimously testify that Peter was crucified in Rome during the persecution of Nero in AD 64.

If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us. (1 Jn 1:8-9)

Questions to consider: